Fence.



J. A. MAYER, Sn. FENCE. APPLIOATION FILED IULY17, 1913.

1,096,735. Patented May 12, 1914,

COLUMBIA PLANOOIAIM co..wummn. n. c.

JOSEPH ALBERT MAYER, SR.

, or HURIDLAND, MISSOURI.

FENCE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 17, 1913. Serial No. 779,589.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH ALBERT MAYER, Sn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hurdland, in the county of Knox and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fences, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in fences, and more particularly to posts and means of attachment of fencing thereto.

The object in view is the provision of means for quickly and effectively locking the strands of wire or fencing to fence posts in a manner adapted to permanently hold the fencing in position in engagement with the posts but capable of allowing the fencing to be readily detached therefrom.

A further object consists in the simplification of the means of connection of fencing to posts without sacrifice of effectiveness of such connection.

With these and other objects in view, as will in part hereinafter become apparent and in part be stated, the invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts as will be herein set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a fragment of a fence embodying the features of the pres ent invention. Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are horizontal cross sections through posts taken respectively on the planes indicated by lines 2-2, 3-3 and ll of Fig. 1, the parts being seen on enlarged scale. Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken transversely through one of the keys, as indicated by and on the plane of line 5-5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the key seen in Fig. 5, detached. Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5 of a modified embodiment. Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken longitudinally of one of the keys, as indicated by and on the planes of line 88 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 5 of a further modified embodiment.

Referring to the drawing by numerals, 1, 1 indicate intermediate posts of a fence, and 2 the terminal post or corner post, the fencing of any ordinary type, as for instance woven wire, having longitudinal strands 3, 3 sustained by the posts 1 and 2.

The post 2, as clearly indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, is formed of angle material and each flange is provided with an aperture 4 for each strand 3. An open-ended slot- 5 leads from thefree edge of the respective llange to and communicates with the upper portion of each aperture 4, each slot 5 being formed with an abrupt angle at an intermediate point and the tortuous form of the slot serving to insure the presence of material of the post overhanging the point of communication between the slot with the respective aperture 4 so that while a strand 3 may be passed alternately into the respective slot 5 and along the same to the point of the angle and thence downwardly into the aperture 4, the liability of escape of the strand from the aperture is largely obviated as the overhanging material of the post will tend to prevent accidental removal of the strand.

It will be understood that while the post 2 as seen in Fig. 2 is indicated as a terminal post for the two ends of the fencing, it may serve as the terminal post merely for one end, in which event there will be no need for the apertures in one of the flanges, and if employed as a corner post at a corner which does not represent the ends of the fencing, the several strands 3 will be passed through the apertures of the flange and extend continuously without the terminal locking arrangement shown in Fig. 2 and to be described.

Each of the posts 1 is formed with an aperture 1 having a slot 5, similar in construction and arrangement to slot 5, leading thereto for each of the strands 3. WVhei-e the posts 1 are arranged substantially at the same elevation so that the strands are approximately horizontal, it is sufficient merely to pass the strands through the apertures 4 in the said posts, as indicated at the post 1 at the extreme right of Fig. 1, and it is also suflicient to merely pass the strands through the said apertures when the posts 1 are located as is post 1 adjacent post 2 of Fig. 1, that is, when the strands 3 extend downwardly at each side of the post, for in that event the tendency is for the strand to lie against the lowermost point of the re spective aperture 4/, but where the strand extends upwardly from any particular post 1 the strand must be guarded against accidental removal through the slot 5, and to this end I provide a key 6 for each strand, each key being preferably tapered or wedgeshaped and adapted to snugly fit within the respective aperture 4, the key being formed Patented May '12, 19114..

In applying the fencing to the posts 1 where the post is located as seen at the intermediate post 1 in Fig. 1, the several apertures 4 have introduced therethrough keys 6 with the slots 8 opening in register with the corresponding slots 5. The strands 3 are moved into place, each being passed manually or otherwise up along the slot 5 and then down and through the slot 8 into the bore 7 of the respective key 6, and the key is then revolved so that the material of the key closes the terminal portion of the slot 5. Thus the respective strand 3 is effectively locked against escape through slot 5, and the respective key 6 is preferably then driven longitudinally until it wedges itself sufiiciently tightly to obviate liability of accidental displacement. The

bore 6 is preferably approximately equalto' the diameter of the respective strand 3 and there is, therefore, no occasion for pull on the strand or danger of loosening thereof 111 being passed up and over portions of the adjacent higher post 1.

Keys 6 are employed in the apertures 5 of post 2 and the manner of application of the fencing thereto is the same. However, when the post 2 is employed as a terminal post each strand 3 after extending through the respective key 6 is passed laterally through a lateral recess 9 formed ad aCent vslot leading to the aperture and a key disthe larger end of the key and at one side of the slot 8. The terminal portions of the strand may be formed into a half hitch about the key or may be otherwise wrapped or secured thereto so as to avoid loosening of the strand by virtue of any longitudinal stress to which the strand may be subjected.

It is to be especially noted that with this tie of the strand about the respective key 6 at the larger end thereof, any longitudinal strain tending to pull the strand back out of the respective aperture 5 will at the same time tend to draw the key 6 into said aperture and as the larger portions of the key advance into the aperture the resistance to such movement proportionally increases.

As seen in Figs. 7 and 8, the key may be modified in construction and still effectively serve to maintain the engaged strand against accidental escapement, and in the embodiment seen in said figures the key 6'. is formed with a flange 6" adapted to extend upwardly in the slot 5 of the post 2; The employment of the flan e 6 renders it impossible to revolve the the key may be introduced only after the strand is in position, and the key is formed with a peripheral groove 10 forsnugly accommodating a strand. The key in this embodiment is formed with a notch 9 for enabling the forming of a half-hitch of the terminal portion of the strand, or the forml rey 6 and therefore ing of any other suitable-tie about the ter- 7 v tion of the strand to be tied about the re-- spective key 6*. This key, of course, is not. particularly adapted for, though capable of being revolved while in its aperture in the post 2.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is V In a fence structure, the combinationof an apertured post having an open-ended posed in the aperture and formed with a strand receiving bore and a slot leading from the bore to the exterior of the key, the key being adapted to be revolved in the aperture for moving the slot'of the key to and from a position registering with the slot of the post, the key being formed with a notch at one side of its slot for facilitating the lateral extension of the strand from the slot of the key for enabling the formation of a wrap about the key.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JosEPH ALBERT MAYER, sR;

Witnesses B. H. BOWEN, J. G. PERRY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

